Waste Technology Section

CRP-T21024, Numerical modelling in support to site characterisation and performance assessment

Background information

The purpose of this CRP is to evaluate the use and performance in Member States of available numerical modelling tools as a means of integrating existing experimental data and of supporting/guiding the development of activities, more especially in the field of site characterization and performance assessment.

Technical as well as time and economic constraints result in sparse data sets available for site characterization. Extraction of information from these limited data sets and their incorporation into predictive models remains a complex and interdisciplinary process. The large range of spatial and temporal scales involved in a performance assessment study necessitates the use of a variety of conceptual and numerical models that a) capture the salient features of the geologic system as well as the potential impacts of the repository, b) are capable of explaining the current system state as represented by field observations, c) provide the basis for predictive calculations over long time periods, and d) are sufficiently robust and tested so their inherent uncertainties can be assessed.

The specific objectives of the CRP are aimed to assist Member States in:

Evaluating the approaches and modelling tools used in the frame of their programmes;

Broadening when applicable the databases previously been used for model validation;

Taking actions to decrease the level of uncertainty associated with numerical predictions.

The CRP started on October 1, 2005. Participants are research contract holders (BRA, CPR, LIT, ROM, UKR) or research agreements holders (BEL, IND, KOR, UK, US). The research agreement holders include scientific coordinators from the Research Institute SCK�CEN for Belgium, the Geo-environmental Research Centre (GRC) of the Cardiff University for the United Kingdom and the Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for US.>